21/02/2023

UAE Tour: Soudal - Quick-Step edge EF Education for team time-trial victory as Luke Plapp jumps into race lead

Stage 2 of the UAE Tour delivered a lot of drama in a tight team time-trial, where Soudal - Quick-Step put in the best time to take their second win of the race. Luke Plapp is the new race leader tied with Remco Evenepoel

The day started off with home team UAE Team Emirates setting the time, however one that was quite disappointing for the team that already took a hit on the opening day. EF Education-EasyPost flew past the finish a whole 15 seconds ahead of UAE, with the real fight for the stage win now starting.

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The other two big contenders for the win were INEOS Grenadiers and Soudal - Quick-Step, however as the teams rolled by the finish questions began to be put on whether the time of the American team could be beaten. Team DSM finished 9 seconds behind, Jayco AlUla finished 4, but most surprisingly INEOS rolled in 2 seconds behind.

Bahrain - Victorious lost 3 seconds at the finish. Soudal - Quick-Step were the only team then capable of beating the time of EF. It seemed as if Soudal - Quick-Step did not have the firepower in the first intermediate point, but as they rode into the finish the clock said otherwise, as 1 single second made the difference.

The gaps were very tight, and Luke Plapp has become the new race leader with the same time as Remco Evenepoel. Ahead of the first mountain stage, their lead on the UAE Team Emirates riders is of over a minute already.